Linking machine



March 2, 1965 E. LA ROCHE LINKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 24, 1962 INVENTOR- EUGENE ATTORNEY LAROCHE March 2, 1965 5, LA ocH 3,171,246

LINKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

EUGENE LAROCHE ATTORNEY March 2, 1965 E. LA ROCHE 3,171,246

LINKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4

March 2, 1965 E. LA ROCHE 3,171,246

LINKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

EUGENE LAROCHE ATTORNEY March 2, 1965 E. LA ROCHE 3,171,246

LINKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

EUGENE LAROCHE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,171,246 LINKING MACHINE Eugene La Roche, West Warwick, RI. (100 Stewart St., Providence, RI.) Filed Jan. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 168,483 10 Claims. (Cl. 59-25) My present invention relates to the chain machine art, and more particularly to a novel construction of a linking machine.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a machine for linking two or more articles together.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a linking machine which manufactures the links from wire stock.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compact machine which easily and economically links articles to each other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a linking machine which is easy and economical to operate in production.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a linking machine embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

FIG. 3 is a section on line 33 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse section through the linking jaws.

FIGS. 5 to 8 are perspective views showing the different operative positions of the jaw elements during assembly of a link.

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of the operating cams and levers.

Linking devices are used frequently in the jewelry industry to attach various types of rings or closure elements to chains and bracelets or for many other linking operations. Recently machines have been introduced to perform this operation. Most commercial machines on the market utilize preformed links stacked in open position and intermittently fed to an assembly area for closing. Such devices are comparatively expensive to operate. The present invention is designed to provide a linking machine which forms its own links from wire stock, thus providing a large saving in costs. Furthermore, the use of magazine loading and feeding is also eliminated, thus speeding the linking operation and further reducing costs.

The basic operation of the machine of the present invention is simple. A length of wire is partially formed into a link in open position so that the articles to be linked may be hooked into it or looped through it. The partially formed link is now out from the wire stock and completed and closed. The link forming and closing device is comparatively simple. However, applicant has devised a plurality of cam operated levers to enable the machine to perform its functions in proper sequence and timed relation.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusive illustrate the operational steps performed by the machine of the present invention. The actual linking operation is performed at the end of a pair of jaws illustrated in FIG. 3. However, since the jaws are identical, and for a better view of the operation, the jaw on the right has been eliminated in FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusive and only the left hand jaw is shown. Referring to FIG. 5 the jaw 10 is pivotally mounted at 11 and is designed to meet the right hand jaw at an acute angle at its forward end. For this purpose an angular cut 12 is Ice formed which abuts a similar cut on the right hand jaw. Normally the jaws will be held against each other by a wedge inserted between the rear ends as will be later described with relation to FIG. 3. The upper forward portion of the jaw 10 is provided with a semi-circular extended die portion 13 which mates with a similar mem her on the right hand jaw to form a semi-circular groove surrounded by the walls 14 of the jaw.

On the final sequence of operation of the machine, the raw wire 15 is forced downwardly around the portion 13 to form a hook 16 extending from the jaw. The machine is now stopped and loop members are slipped over the hook portion 16 for linking purposes. In other words the material being linked is slipped over the hooked portion 16.

Now referring to FIG. 6, the machine is started again and the wire 15 continues to feed so that the hooked portion 16 starts to circle around towards the vertical portion of the wire leaving only a small gap. At this point the Wire feed stops. Now referring to FIG 7, the cutter bar 19 slides horizontally forwardly and severs the wire 15 with a scissor action at point 20 leaving a vertical portion of sufiicient length to close the gap.

The cutter 19 now slides rearwardly out of the way as shown in FIG. 8 and simultaneously the forming bar 21 beneath the cutter slides forwardly. The forming bar 21 is provided with an arcuate front end 22 designed to bend the vertical tail around to close the gap in the circle. However, the clincher bars 17 and 18 move downwardly simultaneously with the forward movement of the forming bar 21. The action is rapid. The bar 17 descends and grabs the end 16 of the wire. The cutter 19 slides in and back. The bar 21 bends the tail around toward the end 16. The clincher bar 18 now grabs the bent tail and clamps it downwardly against the end 16 to complete the forming of the circle. At this point the various holding and bending bars are withdrawn and the jaws are separated slightly to release their grip on the finished link and allow the assembly to fall out of the machine. The machine then feeds a new length of wire into the position shown in FIG. 5 ready for the next linking.

The apparatus therefore comprises the pair of working jaws in combination with a plurality of sliding bars for holding, cutting and bending. These are operated in proper sequence by a plurality of rocker arms and earns illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 9. The power supply and mounting mechanism is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The mechanism is mounted on a 'base 23 having a central vertical supportig wall 24 exteding longitudinally of the base. The jaws 10 and 25 are mounted in the forward segment of the base'as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A plate 26 is positioned on the base 23 with a horizontal portion and spaced parallel vertical portions. The jaws 10 and 25 are pivotally mounted on the horizontal portion of the plate 26 with the rear portion of each jaw having a laterally extending spring 27 abutting the vertical portions of the plate 26 to resiliently urge the rear portions of the jaws towards each other, and consequently to urge the front portions of the jaws away from each other.

The plate 26 is provided with a central transverse groove extending at right angles to the front of the machine between the jaws 10 and 25. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 8 inclusive two bars are mounted one over the other in the groove 28. The lower bar 21 is the forming bar and the upper bar 19 comprises one of the cutter elements. Slidaubly mounted above the member 19 and 21 is a wedge member 29 which extends rewardly through an opening in the central wall 24. The front end of the member 29 is tapered at 30 to form a wedge which extends between the jaws 10 and 25 as shown D in FIG. 3. Just above the front end of the jaws and is a vertical plate '31 in which the holding bar 17 and clinching bar 18 are vertically slidable as shown in FIG. 4.

The various elements are operated by the cam arrange- :ment shown in FIG. 9 mounted as shown in FIG. 4 at the rear of the machine. A longitudinal shaft 32 is mounted above the rear portion of the base 23. The shaft32 car- :ries a plurality of cams each designed for a different sequence of the operation described with respect to FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusive. Viewing FIG. 9 and reading fromleft to right, the cam 33 operates an electrical switch for controlling the cycle of operation. The cam 33 is normally mounted to the extreme left end of the shaft 32. However, for the purposes of FIG. 9 it is illustrated as adjacent the cam 34. The cam 34 operates the wedge 29. The cam 35 also operates the wedge 29 but is de-' signed to hold the jaws with a slight amount of clearance. The cam 36 operates the vertical holding bar 17 and the climbing bar 18. The cam 37 operates the horizontal cutting element 19. The cam 38 operates the forming bar 21.

Proper movement is transmitted from each cam by a plurality of pivoted lever arms having roller ends bearing against the cams and adjustable portions transmitting the cam movement. A pair of vertical posts 39 are positioned in spaced relation at the rear of the machine supporting a longitudinal shaft 40. The lever illustrated in FIG. 9 are mounted on the shaft 40 as shown in FIG. 4. The vertical lever 41 is provided with an upper extending portion 42 carrying a roller 43 which rides on the cam 34. The bottom end of the lever 41 is provided with an adjustable screw 44 extending horizontally forwardly. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of lever arms are pivotally mounted on the post 45 .to one side and extended longitudinally in the path of the several cam levers. As shown in FIG. 4 the adjustable screw 44 bears against the pivoted lever 46 and forces it against the rear of the wedge member '29. The next vertical lever arm 47 is identical with the arm 41 and bears against the cam 35. Its adjustable screw 48 also bears against the pivoted lever 46 for exerting a different pressure on the wedge member 29. The cam lever 47 and adjustment screw 48 are designed to hold the jaws a few thousandths of an inch apart to permit the passage of the wire into the position shown in FIGS. 5 land 6. Thereafter the lever 41 and screw 44 are designed to force the wedge member 29 inwardly to close the jaws so that they will tightly grip the wire during the cutting and forming operation.

The L-shaped lever 49 rides on the cam 36. The horizontal arm 50 is provided with a vertical adjustable screw 51 which bears beneath the outer end of a lever arm 52 which extends forwardly above the jaws and is pivoted at an intermediate point 53. The forward end of the lever 52 is provided with a U-shaped portion 54 for grasping a bar 55 .at the upper end of the members 17 and 18. The member 17 slides within the member .18 and extends slightly below it as shown in FIG. 4. It is resiliently held in this position by the spring 56 positioned above it within the member 18. Thus when the lever 52 is pivoted so that its front end moves downwardly the portion 17 will first engage the end 16 of the wire and then the portion 18 will follow to clinch the other end downwardly and complete the circle.

The next vertical lever arm 57 bears against the cam 37 and is provided with an adjustable screw 58 which bears against a horizontal lever arm 59 pivoted on the post 45. The arm 59 is designed to bear against the cutter or knife 19. The final vertical lever arm 60 bears against the cam 38 and is provided with an adjustable screw 61 Which bears against a lever arm 62 pivoted on the post 45 between the lever arms 46 and-59 and are adapted to bear against the forming bar 21. It will be noted that the wedge member 29, cutter 19 and forming bar 21 are provided with springs which normally hold and return them in retracted position. Also the lever 52 is provided with :a vertical spring pressed pin 63 which normally retains the bars 17 and 18 in vertical position.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wire 15 can be fed from a reel or other source of supply (not shown) between a pair of contingu'ous grooved wheels 64 and 65 which force the wire downwardly and into the jaws. The shaft 31 is at the rear portion of the base and is driven at one end by a motor 66. The various cams are mounted on the shaft 32. The other end of the shaft 32 is provided with an eccentric pin 67 which extends into a pivoted fork 68. The other end of the fork 68 intermittently turns a shaft 69 through a clutch drive 70. This movement is transmitted through the gears 71 to the grooved wheels 64 and 65 for the intermittent feeding of the wire 15,. For accuracy the drive from the motor to the shaft 32 is controlled by an electric clutch 72 and the device may be equipped with electric brakes and similar limiting devices.

In operation it is contemplated that the motor 66 runs continuously when the machine is plugged in or the main switch thrown. The operator places the loops to be linked together over the hooked portion 16 of the wire as shown in FIG. 5. The operator now steps on a foot switch which throws on the electiirc clutch which connects the motor 66 with the shaft 32. The device then goes through the steps shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, releases the finished link and then proceeds .through the steps shown in FIG. 5 to produce another hooked portion 16 ready for the next linking operation. At this point the cam 33 operates a switch which shuts off or disconnects the electric clutch 72 and stops the machine.

The device is thus simple in construction and assembly and easy and economical to operate. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position.

2. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means com prising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, said feeding means including a pair of tangentially mounted wheels adapted to feed said wire vertically downwardly toward said base.

3. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of Wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said Wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, said forming means comprising an arcuate groove adjacent the front ends of said jaws.

4. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of Wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said Wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, said feeding means including a pair of tangentially mounted wheels adapted to feed said wire vertically downwardly toward said base, said forming means comprising an arcuate groove adjacent the front ends of said jaws.

5. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of Wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, and a vertically reciprocable member for holding the bent free end of said wire during the cutting and bending operation.

6. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of Wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable betweent he rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, and a vertically reciprocable member for holding the bent free end of said wire during the cutting and bending operation, said feeding means including a pair of tangentially mounted Wheels adapted to feed said wire vertically downwardly toward said base.

7. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, and a vertically reciprocable member for holding the bent free end of said wire during the cutting and bending operation,

said forming means comprising an arcuate groove adjacent the front ends of said jaws.

8. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of Wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said Wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, and a vertically reciprocable member for holding the bent free end of said wire during the cutting and bending op eraiton, said feeding means including a pair of tangentially mounted Wheels adapted to feed said wire vertically downwardly toward said base, said forming means comprising an arcuate groove adjacent the front ends of said aws.

9. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the cut portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, and a plurality of pivotally mounted cam operated levers for operating said forming, cutting and bending means in predetermined sequence.

10. A linking machine comprising a base, means on said base for feeding a continuous length of Wire to an operating position, means for forming the free end of said wire into a partial circle, means for cutting said partial circle of wire from said length of wire, and means for bending the out portion of said wire arcuately to complete the circle of wire to form a link, and means for holding said bent end of said wire during said forming, bending and cutting operations, said holding means comprising a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on said base, and a wedge movable between the rear ends of said jaws to force the front ends of said jaws into gripping position, and a vertically reciprocable member for holding the bent free end of said wire during the cutting and bending operation, said feeding means including a pair of tangentially mounted Wheels adapted to feed said wire vertically downwardly toward said base, said forming means comprising an arcuate groove adjacent the front ends of said jaws, and a plurality of pivotally mounted cam operated levers for operating said forming, cutting and bending means in predetermined sequence.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 537,863 4/95 Smith 5919 715,775 12/02 Fenner 59-17 MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Examiner. 

1. A LINKING MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE, MEANS ON SAID BASE FOR FEEDING A CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF WIRE TO AN OPERATING POSITION, MEANS FOR FORMING THE FREE END OF SAID WIRE INTO A PARTIAL CIRCLE, MEANS FOR CUTTING SAID PARTIAL CIRCLE OF WIRE FROM SAID LENGTH OF WIRE, AND MEANS FOR BENDING THE CUT PORTION OF SAID WIRE ARCUATELY TO COMPLETE THE CIRCLE OF WIRE TO FORM A LINK, AND MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID BENT END OF SAID WIRE DURING SAID FORMING, BENDING AND CUTTING OPERATIONS, SAID HOLDING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF JAWS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE, AND A WEDGE MOVABLE BETWEEN THE REAR ENDS OF SAID JAWS TO FORCE THE FRONT ENDS OF SAID JAWS INTO GRIPPING POSITION. 